Hagan, a member of the WCSU faculty since 1978 and professor of writing, linguistics and creative process, has built a substantial body of scholarly work specializing in modern Irish literature. Recognized as an innovative teacher during his 35 years at Western, he has introduced many courses to the university curriculum in varied subjects ranging from writing and film to 19th and 20th century Irish, British and American literature.

Wright has served on the WCSU Ancell School of Business faculty since 1990, and has played a central role in securing and gaining renewal of certification of ASB’s pioneering courses in the field of information security by the Committee on National Security Systems of the National Security Agency. A two-time recipient of the school’s Faculty of the Year award, she has earned recognition for her development and teaching of courses as a professor in the Department of Management Information Systems.

“Dr. Hagan and Dr. Wright have distinguished themselves both within their respective academic disciplines, and in their service to students, colleagues and the university,” WCSU President James Schmotter wrote in his letter of recommendation to the interim president of the Board of Regents. “Both of these colleagues demonstrate the combination of service to discipline and institution, intellectual productivity, and teaching grounded in scholarship that represents Western at its very best.”

A Ph.D. recipient from SUNY-Stony Brook, Hagan has published works including a study of the writings of Standish James O’Grady, articles on authors Frank McCourt and Colm Toibin, and studies of contemporary film portrayals of subjects ranging from the Irish to the Vietnam War, where he served in 1969 and 1970 as an intelligence officer. He edited and wrote the introductions for the 2002 edition of O’Grady’s “To the Leaders of Our Working People,” and for the 2004 edition of W.R. MacDermott’s “The Green Republic: A Visit to South Tyrone.” He has delivered more than 30 academic conference presentations across the United States and in Ireland, the United Kingdom and Spain, establishing his reputation as a major contributor to the field of Irish studies.

Hagan’s recently published book on Irish and Irish-American fiction and memoir “argues that farce is the contemporary writer’s tool for puncturing the balloon of triviality of contemporary culture,” his biographical notes on the WCSU website observe. The notes also cite the breadth of his intellectual curiosity, exemplified in a 2007 article that “argues sports metaphors have become so pervasive in contemporary society that they restrict our abilities to think outside the box of winning and losing.”

Schmotter credited Hagan for his longtime service to WCSU as a participant in virtually all major university committees, and cited his present role as coordinator of Western’s First Year Experience Program designed to support incoming students’ transition to college studies and life. Hagan maintains an active role in the classroom, developing diverse courses in recent years covering themes such as “The Craft of Writing,” “Irish and American Contemporary Literature” and “Modern War Literature.”

A Ph. D. recipient from UMass Amherst, Wright has written a casebook on information security and published more than 40 articles in academic and professional journals on technology and terrorism, encryption, financial fraud, Internet security and related themes. She has contributed to education and research in her field through her participation in national organizations including the American Board of Information Security and Computer Forensics and as a subject matter expert for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

At WCSU, Wright’s innovative courses in recent years have covered diverse subjects such as information security systems, business models and decision support. “She has been the leading force in developing Western’s program in information security, including the creation of the first undergraduate course in this field and the first interdisciplinary program in the field at an American business school,” Schmotter said.

For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.